Philadelphia Self-Guided (GPS) Audio Walking Tour, Pennsylvania - Old city history, American Revolution, Declaration of Independence & Hidden Gems
Places: 16 POIs
Distance: 1.27 mi
Duration: 57m
GPS-guided narration through
Your Smartphone
Tour #411
About this English self-guided 57m walking tour in Philadelphia
Welcome to Historic America’s walking tour of Old City Philadelphia. We’re glad you could join us! I’m Rachel, your guide (but I also respond to professional history nerd).
This is the part of the tour where I fit in my shameless plug for our website (www.historicamerica.org) and invite you to use #historicamericatours on social media while traveling alongside us today.
This tour tells the story of the American Revolution and the nation’s early years by exploring the sites of Old City Philadelphia like Franklin Square & Independence Hall - all within ringing distance of the Liberty Bell. The Constitution and Declaration of Independence were penned, debated, and signed here, so during the course of this tour, you’ll get to see where America was born. Let’s explore Old City!
To get started, find your way to the intersection of South 10th & Locust Streets.
A quick note before we get started: Our tour is designed to help you see Philadelphia’s most famous sites no matter when you visit! We will not go inside any buildings, but many of these sites are free and open to the public on most days during regular business hours. However, some sites (like inside Independence Hall) require a free, timed ticket and a security check. If you’d like more information about operating hours and tickets to Independence Hall, you can visit the Independence Visitor Center on Market Street.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
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Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.22mi
, Attraction : 10th & Locust Streets
9-10th and Locust, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
You've Arrived!
Whatever mode of transportation you use to get here, a good starting point is near the intersection of 10th & Locust Streets. Once you arrive, walk east down Locust Street until you reach 9th Street. Keep going. In two blocks you'll arrive at Washington Square - the first true attraction on our tour. As you walk, I'll talk.
Though it may not seem like it today, at the time of the American Revolution, Philadelphia was the most important city in America. With 38,000 inhabitants, it was also the most populous. New York was a distant second; Washington, DC didn’t exist until 1800. Boston was certainly an important commercial city, but not the seat of culture and government like Philadelphia. What happened in this city from the early 1700s through the early 1800s didn’t just change American history, it changed the world we live in today. And it all happened on the very same streets that you’re going to walk. So without further ado, let’s talk about the places you’ll see and the people we’ll “meet” on our way.
Our tour begins at Washington Square & the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and continues to the Declaration House, where Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence. We’ll then move on to America’s birthplace, Independence Hall, where the Declaration and the Constitution were both signed. After that, we’ll see Congress Hall, followed by Independence Square. At the American Philosophical Society, we’ll learn about Lewis and Clark and their expedition of the American West. Next we’ll visit Carpenters’ Hall, site of the First Continental Congress. We'll wrap things up with Benjamin Franklin’s home, the President’s House, and finally, the Liberty Bell! I don't know about you, but I'm already excited!
Once you arrive at Washington Square, find your way to the middle of the square and locate the statue of George Washington.
Though it may not seem like it today, at the time of the American Revolution, Philadelphia was the most important city in America. With 38,000 inhabitants, it was also the most populous. New York was a distant second; Washington, DC didn’t exist until 1800. Boston was certainly an important commercial city, but not the seat of culture and government like Philadelphia. What happened in this city from the early 1700s through the early 1800s didn’t just change American history, it changed the world we live in today. And it all happened on the very same streets that you’re going to walk. So without further ado, let’s talk about the places you’ll see and the people we’ll “meet” on our way.
Our tour begins at Washington Square & the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and continues to the Declaration House, where Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence. We’ll then move on to America’s birthplace, Independence Hall, where the Declaration and the Constitution were both signed. After that, we’ll see Congress Hall, followed by Independence Square. At the American Philosophical Society, we’ll learn about Lewis and Clark and their expedition of the American West. Next we’ll visit Carpenters’ Hall, site of the First Continental Congress. We'll wrap things up with Benjamin Franklin’s home, the President’s House, and finally, the Liberty Bell! I don't know about you, but I'm already excited!
Once you arrive at Washington Square, find your way to the middle of the square and locate the statue of George Washington.
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Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.02mi
, Attraction : Intersection
Washington Sq & Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
The Intersection of West Washington Square & Locust Street
You're almost there! Head to the fountain in the middle of the park and then locate the statue of George Washington, the father of our country. His approach will be lined with flags. When you stand in front of him, note the eternal flame and his placement underneath the words, "Freedom is a light for which many have died in darkness."
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
You've Arrived!
Place 2
The Intersection of West Washington Square & Locust Street
Place 3
The Light of Freedom
Place 4
A Publishing Powerhouse
Place 5
The Road to Independence
Place 6
America's Birth Certificate
Place 7
We Must All Hang Together
Place 8
From Declaration to Constitution
Place 9
All About the Benjamins
Place 10
Taxation Without Representation
Place 11
The First Continental Congress
Place 12
Promoting Useful Knowledge
Place 13
A Promise Kept
Place 14
The Man Who Would Not Be King
Place 15
The Hall Where It Happened
Place 16
Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1 to 1 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided walking tour includes 16 stops, covering top attractions such as You've Arrived!, The Intersection of West Washington Square & Locust Street, The Light of Freedom, A Publishing Powerhouse, The Road to Independence.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at You've Arrived! (Address: 9-10th and Locust, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided walking tour designed to be completed on foot through walkable areas and city highlights.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided walking tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you.
+ Is this a walkable tour?
Yes, this tour is fully walkable and designed to follow a comfortable route through pedestrian-friendly areas.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There is one thing that you need - A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour) and comfortable walking shoes! But here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a mobile charger/battery. 2. Bring earphones for the best experience. 3. Bring a bottle of water and dress appropriately according to the weather forecast.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. Just follow the route (cross streets carefully using crosswalks) and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue the from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!